Re: James P. Bruce, Jr., former employee, Pickwick Reservoir. Dr. FRANKLIN J. HALPIN, JULY 20, 1938. Medical Director, United States Employees' Compensation Commission, Washington, D. C. DEAR DR. HALPIN: On May 3, 1938, the above-named former employee of the Authority filed a compensation claim for an injury he alleges to have received on July 31, 1936. This former employee reported to one of our medical units on July 7, 1938, concerning this alleged injury. The medical officer located at this unit examined Mr. Bruce and makes the following statement relative to his findings: "Among his complaints were the following: Pain and soreness in the region of the ensiform cartilage, which were more severe after hard work, radiating across both sides of the lower chest wall; pain in the chest on deep inspiration; periodic attacks over the heart, associated with a tingling sensation frequently down either or both arms; no history of fainting or dizziness. The piece of iron is causing my trouble, and if I could get it out I would be much better.' It was brought out during my talk with him that the 'iron' was poisoning his system, thus accounting for his symptoms. He "Physical examination: There was a 1-inch scar in the midline just below the ensiform cartilage, over which he complained of considerable pain on pressure. No swelling was noted, and no masses were palpated, though there was a suspicion of a moving object near the cartilage. It was interesting to note that he did not complain of pain in this region from pressure of the stethoscope, even though this pressure was much greater than digital pressure about which he complained. had a pulse rate of 60, but examination of the chest revealed no abnormal findings. It is possible that he has a Stokes-Adams syndrome, though this impression is gained only from a slightly slow pulse. I believe that his symptoms are largely of psychogenic origin but can discover no reason why he should wait so long before raising his complaints." This information is being sent to you for any value that it may be relative to this claim. Yours very truly, TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY, Director of Health. Hon. JOHN SPARKMAN. FLORENCE, ALA., November 19, 1938. MY DEAR SIR: I am writing you hoping you can give me some assistance. I was employed by the T. V. A. as laborer. On July 31, 1936 I received injury which has disabled me for work. I have no income and I must have work or starve, it seems. On this above date, while working, a piece of iron flew off an iron wedge that had been reworked in the blacksmith shop and hit me in the stomach, knocking me down. They carried me to the T. V. A. doctor where I was X-rayed and cut open just below the breastbone, and the doctor said it not was there. They sewed me up and a few days later I went back to work but was still sore. I worked on, as I had to make a living for my family, but was still sore. I made complaints to my foreman and to the first-aid doctor. All they would say was that they would take care of me. I suffered on until the job was finished. They dismissed me without a word about my injury. I got worse and worse. One day last spring I went to T. V. A. doctors at another place and was X-rayed. They found the iron imbedded in the pit of my stomach, not far from my heart. I filed claim there for compensation, which the doctors said I was entitled to. The compensation commission state that I had waited too long to file claim and would do nothing. Since then I went to W. P. A. office to try to get work and they said they could not use me because of my condition and that I should draw compensation. I believe you can help me. I do not want anything I am not entitled to. I must have work, compensation, or starve. Please help me if you can. Í can send names of witnesses if necessary. I am respectfully, JAMES P. BRUCE, Jr. STATE OF ALABAMA, AFFIDAVITS OF JAMES P. BRUCE, JR. Lauderdale County, ss: Before me, Harold T. Pounders, notary public in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared James P. Bruce, Jr., who being by me first duly sworn deposes and says on oath, that at the time of the heretofore-mentioned injury received while in the employ of the Tennessee Valley Authority, I did not know of the necessity of filing a claim for compensation within any given time limit; that although I was treated by the medical staff of the Tennessee Valley Authority, they or no one else advised me of that requirement, and therefore no claim was filed within that time. I was under the impression that the hospital staff of the Tennessee Valley Authority would take the necessary steps to secure my compensation, as I was ignorant of the requirements. JAMES P. BRUCE, Jr Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of January 1939. Before me, Harold T. Pounders, notary public in and for the State and counte aforesaid, personally appeared James P. Bruce who being first duly sworn by my deposes and says on oath as follows to wit: My name is James P. Bruce, Jr.; I reside in Lauderdale County, Ala. I was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Clearance Division in the Pickwick Reservoir. On July 31, 1936, while sawing a tree I was injured in the chest and have never recovered. The details of the injury are as follows: Mr. Doyle L. Pittman and Mr. W. C. Bruce were on one end of a 7-foot crosscut saw and Mr. John H. Hendrix and myself were at the opposite end. We were using a "reworked" wedge and had stopped sawing for Mr. Hendrix to drive the wedge further into the tree. As he struck the wedge with the hammer a part of it flew off and struck me in the chest. I was carried to the first-aid station at Iuka, Miss., and was not able to return to work for about 10 days. After I returned to work I was unable to work as I had in the past and continued to have spells of hurting in the chest. These spells continued until I left the Authority's employ December 31, 1937. In the spring of 1938 I continued to grow worse and I then went to the United States Nitrate Plant No. 2 for examination. After X-rays were made I was informed that the steel from the wedge was still in my chest. An application for compensation was made and sent to the Claims Division of the Tennessee Valley Authority but was declined on the grounds that it was not filed in time. I am unable to get employment anywhere because of this injury. The Works Progress Administration have refused me employment because of the handicap. JAMES P. BRUCE, Jr. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 12th day of January 1939. JOINT AFFIDAVIT OF WILLIAM C. BRUCE, DOYLE L. PITMAN, AND JOHN H. HENDRIX STATE OF ALABAMA, Lauderdale County, ss: Before me, Harold T. Pounders, notary public in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared the undersigned who being by me first duly sworn depose and say on oath as follows: We recall the day of July 31, 1936, when we were employed in the clearance division in the Pickwick Reservoir by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The three of us, together with Mr. James P. Bruce, were pulling a 7-foot crosscut saw in cutting down a tree. It was necessary at intervals to drive the wedge into the tree and on this occasion we had stopped momentarily for Mr. Hendrix to strike the wedge. As he struck it a part of the wedge flew off and struck Mr. Bruce in the chest. He was carried to the first-aid hospital in Iuka, Miss., and about 10 days later returned to his work. He has not been in the same physical condition as he was before this accident. At times he was hardly able to carry on with his work. This wedge mentioned above had been reconditioned in the blacksmith shop and apparently was too hard, thereby causing it to break off. Attest: WILLIAM C. BRUCE, JOHN H. (his mark) HENDRIX. HAROLD T. POUNDERS. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 12th day of January 1939. [SEAL] HAROLD T. POUNDERS, Notary Public. O JUNE 12 (legislative day, MAY 28), 1940.-Ordered to be printed Mr. WILEY, from the Committee on Claims, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 6686] The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6686) for the relief of T. Jack Neal, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with the recommendation that the bill do without amendment. pass The facts are fully set forth in House Report No. 1874, Seventysixth Congress, third session, which is appended hereto and made a part of this report. H. Rept. No. 1874, 76th Cong., 3d sess.] The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6686) for the relief of T. Jack Neal, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the bill, as amended, do pass. The amendments are as follows: Line 5, after the name "Neal", insert a comma and add "of Knoxville, Tennessee". Line 6, strike out the sign and figures "$2,500" and insert in lieu thereof "$1,500". At the end of the bill add: ": Provided, That no part of the amount appropriated in this Act in excess of 10 per centum thereof shall be paid or delivered to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with this claim, and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1,000." The purpose of the proposed legislation is to pay the sum of $1,500 to T. Jack Neal, of Knoxville, Tenn., as a reward and in full settlement of all claims against the United States for personal injuries and medical and hospital expenses incident thereto, incident to the capture of Max and Nathan Zarrani, counterfeit note passers, said capture occurring in the Farragut Hotel at Knoxville, Tenn., on April 21, 1939. STATEMENT OF FACTS Mr. T. Jack Neal, of Knoxville, Tenn., had been employed as a detective by the Farragut Hotel since about August 1938. His duties required him to work at night and he usually went on duty at about 6 in the evening. At about 6:30 on the evening of April 21, 1939, while making his rounds in the hotel, a messenger S. Repts., 76-3, vol. 3- -59 |